The Flight Robotics and Perception Group at iFR adopts latest robotic framework to aerial vehicle controller design. With the goal of protecting nature and environment in mind, our topic ranges from modern learning control system to neural network-based animal trackers. A lighter-than-air vehicle is able to hover in the air for hours and can be used in challenging hovering missions, i.e. long duration wild animal tracking, or central charging station for other micro-aerial vehicles. Therefore, FRPG at iFR uses two ligher than air vehicles in their research.
The above vehicle is a research prototype, equipped with a flight controller, a camera, and sensors to research techniques for dirigibles in the realm of aerial robotics. This reaches from basic flight control, reinforcement learning-based control up to utilization of lighter-than-air UAVs in aerial units and formations. This prototype was designed at the Max-Planck-Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen. With the length of the vehicle being approximately 5 m, the payload of this vehicle is limited to less than 1 kg. Therefore, only lightweight embedded electronics can be used.